As another tiny enclave of Scientologists digs deep for an Ideal Org — what would Ron say?

 
Rod Keller continues to keep a close watch on Scientology’s “Ideal Org” program for us…

This week we look at the donors dedicated to establishing an Ideal Org in Columbus, Ohio. The new building was purchased in 2010 with the expectation given to locals that it would open that year. Columbus is still raising money for renovations seven years later. In contrast with Orlando and Kansas City, the top donors in Columbus are locals. With a tiny staff and group of publics, Scientology may have to call in outside donors to finish the fundraising before this org is ready to start renovations.

 
The notion that fundraising is necessary for the Ideal Org program is at odds with the writings of L. Ron Hubbard who urged against it. He wrote that Scientology should earn money by delivering courses and selling books, not by soliciting donations at fundraising events.

If the Org slumps: Don’t engage in “fund raising” or “selling postcards” or borrowing money. Just make more income with Scientology. It’s a sign of very poor management to seek extraordinary solutions for finance outside Scientology. It has always failed. For Orgs as for pcs “Solve it With Scientology.” Every time I myself have sought to solve finance or personnel in other ways than Scientology I have lost out. So I can tell you from experience that Org solvency lies in More Scientology, not patented combs or fund raising Barbecues. (HCO PL 24 February 1964, “Urgent, Org Programming”)

All orgs ignore this policy, and in Columbus the donations come primarily from the owners and employees of one company. Michael Chan is well known as a Field Staff Member and lecturer at Scientology orgs around the world. Together with his brother John Chan and Michael’s wife Sara Downey, the family are the top contributors to the Columbus Ideal Org. John is the owner of the Durable Slate Company, and several employees of this roofing company are donors and Scientologists.

 
But this is not a grass-roots campaign. Scientology has assigned a Sea Org member to Columbus. As on Star Trek, both male and female SO members are addressed as “Mr.” so she is Mr. Carol Nolan from the International Landlord Office. Her post is “Roving Fundraising Project In-Charge.”

She takes credit for raising $1.2 million from this small org in the past five weeks, and promises that wealthy Scientologists from Clearwater will soon be making large donations to finish the project. Her claim that “25 donations of any size always results in a large donation coming in” sounds like a quote from L. Ron Hubbard. It’s not. Hubbard claimed that 25 books sold to “raw” public resulted in one new Scientologist. True or not, it’s interesting that at a time Scientology claims to be moving closer to the words of the founder his words are being altered in support of fundraising campaigns, which Hubbard found distasteful and ineffective.

 
The new building is at 1266 Dublin Road, an office building in a park filled with office buildings. The old org was small, but it was in the heart of the city. It falls in a category with Dallas, Orlando, and Boston of remote Ideal Orgs with no foot traffic to bring in new Scientologists.

 
— Rod Keller

 
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What’s up in Orlando?

Mike Rinder posted a church flier that said Orlando’s Ideal Org would have its grand opening on April 28, which was yesterday. But our man on the scene sent us these photos, telling us that work was still being done on the place: “Lots of contractors here still working. Elevator company, A/C mechanical folks too. Looks like bunch of Sea Org folks around though getting prepped, so maybe next weekend?”

 
But Rod Keller tells us that the Perth grand opening is next week, so Orlando might be waiting a while. And how angry must Dave be? Can you imagine?

 
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Make your plans now!

HOWDYCON UPDATE

Wow, we’re now less than two months out, and Chee Chalker is working hard to make sure things are going to run smoothly at this year’s HowdyCon in Chicago, June 21-23. As in past years, we’re looking forward to meeting readers of the Bunker, culminating in Saturday night’s main event.

The biggest difference this year is that our Saturday night event is separate from that evening’s dinner. Chee is setting up an inexpensive pizza dinner that you don’t need to pay for ahead of time, after which we’ll walk over to the theater where our event, hosted by Chicago Fire star Christian Stolte, will take place. Because it’s a separate event, we’re asking that you pay $10 each to get into the Saturday night event, which will help us recoup what the Bunker paid for the venue. (We have never made a penny on our HowdyCon meetups, we only try to break even.)

Please email your proprietor (tonyo94 AT gmail) in order to reserve your spot for Saturday night’s main event. Seating is limited, and we’re going to have some really interesting people on stage and they may make a few announcements that you don’t want to miss.

 
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Posted by Tony Ortega on April 29, 2018 at 07:00

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Our book, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.

The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2017 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Undergound Bunker (2012-2017), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Learn about Scientology with our numerous series with experts…

BLOGGING DIANETICS: We read Scientology’s founding text cover to cover with the help of L.A. attorney and former church member Vance Woodward
UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists
GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice
SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts

Other links: Shelly Miscavige, ten years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ

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